IPL 2021: CSK get their new 'Bat-Man' as Robin Uthappa traded from Rajasthan

Rajasthan Royals (RR) batsman Robin Uthappa has been traded to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 in an all-cash deal. The 35-year-old has previously played for many IPL franchises namely Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Pune Warriors (PW) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) before he was signed by the Royals last year for INR 3 crore.

CSK announced his arrival with a quirky post on Twitter. The tweet said, "Robin is our newest Bat-Man! Welcoming you with #Yellove Vanakkam @robbieuthappa! #WhistlePodu".

Robin is our newest Bat-Man! Welcoming you with #Yellove Vanakkam @robbieuthappa! #WhistlePodu  pic.twitter.com/MYVpwvV2ZG

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 21, 2021

Talking about his stint at the Royals, Uthappa said, "I really enjoyed my year at the Royals and had a great time being part of this franchise. I am now excited for the next part of my cricketing journey joining CSK for IPL 2021".

CSK's acquisition of Uthappa may be predicated after they lost two openers, Shane Watson, who retired after the 2020 season and Murali Vijay, who was released. CSK, however, do have Faf du Plessis, Ambati Rayudu, Ruturaj Gaikwad, N. Jagadeesan and Sam Curran available to open the innings.

Uthappa has played every season of the IPL since the inception of the tournament and has scored 4607 runs from 189 games at a strike-rate of 129.99. This includes 24 half-centuries and an Orange Cap in the 2014 season where his 660 runs contributed to KKR's second title win.